How Can We Begin to Implement Instruction in Online Reading Comprehension and Learning Across the Grade Levels?
April 14, 2008 STI Course

Internet Reciprocal Teaching

Skills: (Download the Taxonomy for more details about Online Reading Skills for Phase 1 TICA Basic Skills ChecklistFinal.doc and Phase 2 TICA_Phase_II_Checklist.doc
1. Questioning
2. Locating
3. Critically Evaluating
4. Synthesizing
5. Communicating

Three phases:
1. Teacher-led basic skills
2. Collaborative modeling of more complex skills
3. Independent Inquiry
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Internet Workshop:
  • Locate and bookmark websites.
  • Develop an “information problem” to solve using the sites with a partner.
  • Complete during the week.
  • Students share new insights and reading strategies in a workshop session.
  • Examples:
    • Elementary: Reading Informational Hypertext - Enchanted Learning and the Little Explorers Picture Dictionary- Problem: Locate two interesting facts about an animal that lives in the desert.
      Share strategies for how you moved around the website to locate your facts.
    • Middle School: Exploring Dog Sled Racing from Multiple Perspectives - A. Veterinary Center for the Iditarod, B. Racing for the Grave, and C. Is The Iditarod for the Dogs? Problem: Distinguish fact from opinion as you read across 3 texts about dogsled racing. Share strategies for how you evaluated each author’s purpose and stance.
    • High School: Exploring the American Memory Database of Primary Sources - Problem: Compare and contrast the original draft of FDR’s speech from the American Memory website with the final audio. Share strategies for how you located the three primary sources in the database.

Internet Project:
  • Work with another class on a common learning activity or problem to solve
  • Contribute products or data to a common site and then analyze, reflect, compare, and respond
  • Students and teachers communicate about the topic using a range of online communication tools
  • Examples:
    • Elementary Language Arts/Math: Monster Exchange Project - Product/Data include written (and revised) directions and art; Communication Tools include Email, Chat Rooms, and Discussion Boards
    • Elementary Literature: Cinderella Around the World Project - Product/Data includes graphic organizers, tables, charts, drawings, poems, story adaptations, etc.; Communication Tools include Email, Inspiration, and Digital Art Software
    • Secondary Science: CIESE Engineering and Science Projects - One example is the Global Water Sampling Project - Data/Products (from water samples in 20 countries include measures of variables such as temperature, Ph level, phosphates, bacteria, etc. Students analyze patterns and exchange theories; Communication Tools: Email (Ask-An-Expert), Discussion Boards, and Excel Spreadsheets
    • Secondary Humanities: Global SchoolNet's Doors to Diplomacy Project - Data/Product include a synthesis of primary source documents, case studies & data in student generated websites; Communication Tools include Instant message, digital cameras, email, web design software, Flash, imovie, etc.

Internet Inquiry:
  • Question - The most important, least taught, element
  • Search
  • Critical evaluation - More important with the Internet
  • Synthesize - We construct texts as we read online
  • Communicate - New tools, new skills, and new audiences
  • Examples:
    • Elementary: Integrating the Internet with Children's Literature
      What is special about your favorite author? Use the Internet to find out the special things about your favorite author. How does your author use these special things in his/her stories? Prepare a presentation to convince others to read books by your author. Include three books and a quiz for others to complete.
    • Middle School: Human Body Systems - Know It and Teach It
      Choose a human body system to learn about and a question about that body system that is important to understand. Prepare a presentation that teaches others about both the body system and the question you picked. Include both a report to read, an online game, and a 10-item test.
    • Secondary: Interdisciplinary - Make the World a Better Place
      Explore state and national data sets such as those at Kids Count Data Center and The National Center for Educational Statistics. Identify an important problem and use NCES Graph it to illustrate it. Then use the Internet to research solutions. Write a letter to your state legislators identifying the problem and proposing your solution. Include your graph(s) and document your solution.